Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Housing & Support.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

1.    Approve a capital grant to Raven Housing Trust of £0.500 million as detailed in the exempt report in Part 2 of the agenda for the Chavecroft redevelopment scheme.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Support, Councillor Neame, introduced the item: Capital Grant Funding for Chavecroft Scheme.

In June 2021, Planning Committee resolved to grant planning permission to demolish the Chavecroft sheltered housing scheme and deliver 23 new homes subject to the completion of a S106 Agreement.

The Chavecroft Scheme is a new Net Zero Carbon scheme to deliver a flagship Net Zero Carbon project in the borough to provide sustainable, energy efficient, social rented homes for local people on the Council’s housing register. It will replace an out of date housing scheme, mainly of studio flats for older people that no longer meets local need. The new scheme will have a mix of 3 bedroom houses and 1 and 2 bedroom flats. It will help 23 local households in need.

Social housing provider, Raven Housing Trust, has made a significant direct investment. It has committed its Recycled Capital Grant Fund receipts. They sought Homes England Funding and as part to a requirement by Homes England, the Council was asked to provide a grant of £500,000.

The Leader, Councillor Brunt, welcomed Alison Bennett, Development Director from Raven Housing Trust, who attended the meeting to answer Member questions as a partner organisation to deliver this social rented housing building project for residents.

Executive Members made no observations.

Visiting Member, Councillor Blacker, asked the Executive about whether the right level of contingencies cost had been set out in the proposed building project.

Alison Bennett, from Raven Housing Trust, confirmed that there was five per cent contingency cost built into this Net Zero Carbon project.

The Leader confirmed that the Council has full nomination rights on all properties.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

1.    Approve a capital grant to Raven Housing Trust of £0.500 million as detailed in the exempt report in Part 2 of the agenda for the Chavecroft redevelopment scheme.